Draft Architecture Block Diagram

BoxLambda is a project that creates a retro-style FPGA-based microcomputer from open-source components. The microcomputer serves as a platform for both software and RTL experimentation.

BoxLambda is a software-hardware crossover project, providing opportunities for experimentation on both the FPGA RTL side and the software side.

Key Goals

  • Create a sandbox for experimenting with software and FPGA gateware:
    • It should be easy to jump in and do something: create, hack, tinker.
      • Simple Enough for One Person: A motivated individual can develop a solid understanding of the entire system, including both software and hardware.
      • Deterministic Behavior: The duration of operations such as internal memory or register access must be predictable by design.
      • Self-Contained Run-Time Environment supporting high-level interactive and low-level systems programming.
    • Create a Modular Architecture allowing for a mix-and-match of software and hardware components. Optionally, support Partial FPGA Reconfiguration.

  • Target Hardware: Digilent’s Arty-A7.

  • The computer supports the following peripherals:
    • USB HID Keyboard
    • USB HID Mouse (optional)
    • USB HID Joystick (optional)
    • Real-Time Clock and Calendar (optional)
    • Serial port
    • SD card storage
    • Flash Memory storage
    • VGA Display
    • Audio output
  • Sound and graphics support retro-style 2D demos and gameplay.

Status (Dec. 2024)

  • Infrastructure (build system, etc.): Complete, with room for simplification.
  • Gateware: Complete as pictured in the Block Diagram. Of course, there’s always room for additional or alternate components.
  • Software: Early stage development.

GitHub